Schools and colleges are to be given extra freedoms to choose how many and which diplomas they offer, schools minister Nick Gibb has announced.
Sixth-form colleges will no longer have to carry out surveys of students’ views, and those rated as outstanding by Ofsted will be removed from the inspectorate’s routine inspection round. It is estimated that four out of 10 colleges will benefit from this lighter-touch inspection regime.
Other measures include stopping development of the extended diploma and plans to introduce changes to budgets for education for 16- to 19-year-olds.
Gibb said: "We want schools and colleges to have greater choice over the qualifications they offer – they know what’s best for their students."
The announcement has been welcomed by Dr John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL). He said: "ASCL strongly supports diplomas but believes their complex structure can be simplified. This is a move in the right direction."
Other measures include stopping development of the extended diploma and plans to introduce changes to budgets for education for 16- to 19-year-olds.
Gibb said: "We want schools and colleges to have greater choice over the qualifications they offer – they know what’s best for their students."
The announcement has been welcomed by Dr John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL). He said: "ASCL strongly supports diplomas but believes their complex structure can be simplified. This is a move in the right direction."
